A HUDDERSFIELD man has set his sights on raising £10,000 - as a "thank you" to a hospital that treated him.

A HUDDERSFIELD man has set his sights on raising £10,000 - as a "thank you" to a hospital that treated him.

Jamie Yates was struck down with a rare form of cancer last year.

He had eight months of treatment at St James's Hospital in Leeds.

Now in remission, he wants to raise £10,000 to thank staff in the oncology ward.

Mr Yates, of Well Ings Close, Shepley, has set up the Jamie For Jimmy's fund with his family and friends.

More than £3,000 has already been raised and a Grand Family Fundraising Weekend next Saturday and Sunday should help them towards their target.

The family is planning dozens of attractions on Shepley cricket field, including hot air balloon rides, a fairground, a penalty shoot-out with Huddersfield Town players, pony rides, a classic car show and a visit from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Mr Yates, a sales representative, is now back at work at Ellis Hill Timber, of Leeds Road, Huddersfield.

He said: "I just wanted to give something back to the hospital.

"I thought £10,000 was an amount we could actually raise, and my wife, family and friends have been so supportive.

"I was treated at Jimmy's for seven or eight months and got to know most people there very well.

"I feel so grateful to all the staff."

Mr Yates's illness was discovered after a lump, which was originally thought to be benign, turned out to be a rare cancer form called sarcoma.

Mrs Yates said: "There are two types of sarcoma and Jamie happened to have the high-grade type, which meant it would have taken over pretty quickly if he had not had the right chemotherapy.

"We had such an awful time last year, but the staff were so brilliant at helping us cope."

Money raised by the charity will go directly to the hospital's oncology ward, to be spent on medical equipment and patient care.

Family and friends have already held car boot sales, a giant paella night and collections at the Asda supermarket and the Bon Jovi concert at the McAlpine Stadium, Huddersfield.

"Jamie is a real Shepley lad and people all want to help him raise the money," said Mrs Yates.

Dr Michael Leahy, a specialist and lecturer in sarcomas from St James's, will open next weekend's event at 8.00 on Saturday night.

Two local bands, Auburn and Tough Edge, will perform in a large marquee.

Tickets cost £10 and include a barbecue supper.

The family fun day starts at noon on Sunday. It includes brass band music, the Georgie School of Dancing, a children's entertainer, mini-disco, barbecue and bar and various stalls.